Thursday, December 31, 2009

I found a spot on Harper Collins (a publisher) that allows wanna be authors to send their work for people to read and critique. I put Winds of Fire, first 7 chapters, up. So far, I'm having good reviews! It's fun reading it. I didn't expect such a good response so quickly. I hope it keeps up!

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

We're on standby to leave. We've cleaned our rental and are staying with friends. We'll probably head out tomorrow. Not sure what time. We keep going back and forth. Family seems to be doing okay.

Please put up smoke alarms and keep fire hazards in your home to a minimum. My great uncle just died in a fire that no one can figure out how it started. He died in his doorway trying to get out. As a former firefighter and one who has lost more than one family member to fire, please, everyone, take care!

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Due to family bereavement, I probably won't get to blog again until sometime next week. I will be busy trying to find a way to get my MIL and daughter back home (they barely arrived) and packing up to go myself.

Friday, December 25, 2009

Now, I have friends of multiple religious persuasions and respect all of them (with the possible exception of atheism as I haven't made up my mind about that one yet because the ones I know are harshest against my own religion). That being said, I love this poem I found today. Christmas is my favorite time of year, and that combined with a recent article in Times magazing which talked about helcopter parents and how we all hover over our children too much made this apropo for me this year. (I agree with the article. Parents are NUTS!)

‘Twas the night before Christmas and Santa’s a wreck…How to live in a world that’s politically correct?His workers no longer would answer to “Elves,”“Vertically Challenged” they were calling themselves.

And labor conditions at the North PoleWere alleged by the union to stifle the soul.Four reindeer had vanished, without much propriety,Released to the wilds by the Humane Society.

And equal employment had made it quite clearThat Santa had better not use just reindeer.So Dancer and Donner, Comet and Cupid,Were replaced with 4 pigs, and you know that looked stupid!

The runners had been removed from his sleigh;The ruts were termed dangerous by the E.P.A.And people had started to call for the copsWhen they heard sled noises on their roof-tops.

Second-hand smoke from his pipe had his workers quite frightened.His fur trimmed red suit was called “Unenlightened.”And to show you the strangeness of life’s ebbs and flows,Rudolf was suing over unauthorized use of his noseAnd had gone on Geraldo, in front of the nation,Demanding millions in over-due compensation.

So, half of the reindeer were gone; and his wife,Who suddenly said she’d enough of this life,Joined a self-help group, packed, and left in a whiz,Demanding from now on her title was Ms.

And as for the gifts, why, he’d ne’er had a notionThat making a choice could cause so much commotion.Nothing of leather, nothing of fur,Which meant nothing for him. And nothing for her.

Nothing that might be construed to pollute.Nothing to aim. Nothing to shoot.Nothing that clamored or made lots of noise.Nothing for just girls. Or just for the boys.

Nothing that claimed to be gender specific.Nothing that’s warlike or non-pacific.No candy or sweets…they were bad for the tooth.Nothing that seemed to embellish a truth.

And fairy tales, while not yet forbidden,Were like Ken and Barbie, better off hidden.For they raised the hackles of those psychologicalWho claimed the only good gift was one ecological.

No baseball, no football…someone could get hurt;Besides, playing sports exposed kids to dirt.Dolls were said to be sexist, and should be passe’;And Nintendo would rot your entire brain away.

So Santa just stood there, disheveled, perplexed;He just could not figure out what to do next.He tried to be merry, tried to be gay,But you’ve got to be careful with that word today.

His sack was quite empty, limp to the ground;Nothing fully acceptable was to be found.Something special was needed, a gift that he mightGive to all without angering the left or the right.

A gift that would satisfy, with no indecision,Each group of people, every religion;Every ethnicity, every hue,Everyone, everywhere…even you.

So here is that gift, it’s price beyond worth…“May you and your loved ones enjoy peace on earth.”

copyright Harvey Ehrlich, 1992Notice: This poem is copyright 1992 by Harvey Ehrlich. It is free to distribute, without changes, as long as this notice remains intact.

Whether you celebrate Christmas or Yule or Hanukah, the lesson here can be seen.Think about it.

Monday, December 21, 2009

It's December 21st, I think. I'm donw to a tickle in my throat and being exhausted but getting better. We've finished wrapping our presents and if I didn't know we were moving, I'd be sad. Have to save the money for the move. Our van is acting up and we will be taking it in tomorrow. I'm sick of car trouble, that's for sure.

It needs to be working before we move and that's in less than two weeks! UGH. The week after Christmas is going to be hectic as my MIL and daughter will be here. I would prefer our van worked by then as we want to tour the missions here in San Antonio with them.

I'm fixing on finishing up a couple of stories, but between cleaning house after being sick, my appointment today and the van I'm ready to pull my hair out! I have a contest for Winds of Fire though so IT WILL BE DONE. I HAVE SPOKEN. **insert scary voice there. lmao

When I get all moved to Washington, I'm hoping to sponsor a contest and if it has arrived, I will be giving away a signed copy of a romantic comedy, and another book, sorry not signed of an historical romance. I haven't decided which will be first or the criteria yet, so I'll have to think about it. I just know I'm going to do the give away for all my LOYAL fans :) They are both good books in their genre.

I'm going to go back to work now and print the info on Chicago that I need to finish Winds of Fire and get it entered into the contest.

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Apparently, everyone goes on hiatus for the next two weeks. That means less blogs to read, which will help me get my packing done :P I am trying hard not to get too excited at the possible series, but I can't help it. I sent in a short story, so I asked them a question, and it went something like this: "As hope springs eternal, I'm outlying where I want the series to go. Do they all have to be shorts or will I get to do novel length as well." See, I sent in a novella originally.

Well, the reply was something to the effect of they are looking for novels under 80k :) Yeah me. So anyways, I'm starting with the original and beefing it up some. Only need to add like 40k. **insert a little tongue in cheek there**

Then I need to get an idea basis for at least two more right away. I've already got an idea for one of them. May set next one in some exotic locale. Have to see if there are any instant rejects on locale with this publisher. I'm thinking maybe Hawii. My MIL and people who work with my FIL have been there, and one person I know has a daughter living there, so I'll have lots of pics and info to work from.

Plus, I have to finish the thriller. I'm stuck in a part in Chicago. Not sure of the timeline I want to follow. However, thanks to James Martin, an old classmate of mine, I have lots of good info on the area. I promised him a copy of the book if it ever got published. Of course, I'll also thanki him in the acknowledgements. There is a contest happening that this book would do well in, so I need to get it finished ASAP. Nothing like deadlines to get me going :D

Procrastinators Unite! Tomorrow. Anyone ever hear that phrase? lol

Well, it's off to packing and writing for me. Not to mention babies and boys to watch and manage. Wish me luck :)

Friday, December 18, 2009

So that earlier sickness I mentioned? Strep throat in the worst way. I've started to blog a few times since but couldn't sit up long enough to get through my email, much less a posting of any lenght or quality. Although, with my high fever, it may have been interesting to see what I wrote!

I tried to work a bit, outlining a series, etc, but I didn't get very far. Did ask a few questions/comments and learn a few things but no real work got done.

I do believe that my short story may be turning into a novel so I'm going to get started now. Plus, outline the series better as my feverish brain only imagined it wrote things down. Of course, the way I felt, it may be written down in blood somewhere for all I know. I was in a real bad way. My kids alternated between taking full advantage of a mom who can't talk much less raise her voice (Yeah, quiet you in the peanut gallery)and looking pretty scared when they saw me. I was miserable and you could tell with barely a glance.

I am looking forward to Christmas. I did get a couple wrapped day before yesterday cuz I felt a little better, but I exhausted myself so did nothing yesterday. My son keeps asking to wrap a packing box, as he calls it, which is actually a wipies holder for the diaper bag :D I said when I'm done wrapping presents. Oh lordie, for a five year old its been an interminable wait. Finally, late yesterday, I told him if he asks again I was going to let Isaac (the baby) wrap it!

He looked at me in confusion and said, "But Isaac can't wrap!" and I said, "Exactly!" He gave me a look like I had lost my mind and fled to his room to ponder what I meant.

I'm tortuing my 16 yr old with it as he was with me when I bought his christmas present and he wrapped it himself and has spent the last two weeks bugging me to open it LOL I said NOPE. That's all you're getting. It's been funny. He's been very creative about it. Like, I could do the dishes faster if I could just use that ;;) I swear, it's been more fun than presents I've bought him in years LOL

I'm moving to WA so presents are light this year, mostly books. I think Josh present is the only exception to that, but I can't remember for sure the way my brain feels right now. Hope everything is well with the rest of y'all. :D

Sunday, December 13, 2009

I'm sick, but at least it's a different kind of sick then its been for the last four? five? months. However long its been since we've been in TX. My baby has kept me up the last five nights in a row and now I'm slammed with something that makes my throat hurt :( I'm taking lots of meds for it, but I still feel like crap and I have to work tonight. What's worst, is I'm doing a rehearsal which no one knew about, rather no one on the Crew knew about. So I'll be working from 12:30 to 9:30 in a place that gets up to ninety degrees without the doors open so the door all get open and one of them is next to my station. So I'll be going hot, cold, hot, cold, which may be what set me off in the first place. Plus being exposed to 50 odd people. UGH.

I won't get to write today in any way shape or form, well except for blogging:) because I've been called in early. I am missing out on my research hours :( oh well, such is the life of a struggling artist.

Hopefully the assorted meds will kick in and I will make it through the day with no mishaps. Hope everyone is enjoying snow that has it and that they are staying well :)

Saturday, December 12, 2009

I'm packing up to move, but I'm still going to write today. I realized I had a deadline so something has to be done :) When I move, I get rid of stuff. It's the only reason I'm not on the show "Hoarder" LOl. As I mentioned, I do all sorts of crafts making it nearly impossible to get rid of stuff without the "OOH I could use that with XXX" or "who knows when I'll need that."

I might not get the book done in time for what I wanted it, but I can still send in a query, etc when it is ready. I don't want to stress myself out too much as I need to be as healthy as possible for the big move :)

I'm getting a new website soon, already have someone working on it ;) I'm so excited as it will have excerpts and all kinds of stuff. I'll be able to post my book signings and stuff on it as well. I'm looking at using some of my artwork for the design background and stuff, so I'm really excited :)

Kids are being troublesome as always but they are at least helping to get things cleaned up. Monday is a big clean up day for the part of the city I'm from so needed to get this done anyway or it won't happen again for six months. (Not that it matters to me!)

The oven doesn't work here and now the toilet is acting up GRRRR. That's okay, I will fix it. Just another day in the Bushman household :D

So, I won a contest for the new website and when I figure out the linking process (it's still not working for me!) I will link to their blog.I had a lot of fun on the blog tour where I found them yesterday. I'm having a blast getting to know other authors of all types (genres and published). :)Have a good day and I hope your dreams that inspire will be fruitful.

Friday, December 11, 2009

Two days in a row of little or no writing? GRRR. I'll get more done tomorrow. Right now, I'm catching up on blogs and stuff. Plus entering contests to win lots of books. Soon, I will be having a giveaway, sometime in January, to give away books I have extras of because I won two or bought one then won one :)I think introducing people to new authors is a fabulous past time and I intend to give away lots of people's books, not just my own :)

I'm not feeling well and not focusing well due to lack of sleep too many nights in a row. Here's to sleep and focus!

PS I MISS NOT HAVING AN OVEN WAAAA (for those of you who don't know, I can't cook, but I can bake!)

Okay, I posted a link on last post that doesn't want to link. Try copying and pasting or something. It is a story worth reading for all writers! Now to get me an agent like that! My last one lead me astray :(

I haven't progressed in word count on the new story, Gypsy's Home, I started day before, but I have come up with a couple of intriguing ideas. This one isn't going to write as fast as my other stories do as I'm attempting comedy. **sigh may have to scratch that soon LOL But not until I've written a rough draft and can at least read through it once to see if it's possible to save it as a comedy.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

I'm a writer, but I'm also an artist/crafter. I do many things, and yes, when I choose to, I do them well. Until recently, I thought that was normal. I mean, doesn't everyone decide they want to tat, go pick up the tools and learn to tat while eating their lunch at Taco Bell? That's pretty much what I did, although I lost the tool right away (it's so danged small!)and will now have to relearn as I didn't practice :(

I crochet, I hate knitting, but I'm capable of it. I had been taught the basics 20 yrs ago and never picked it up again until my recent appearance in Antigone. I was the queen. Now, if you haven't read the play, you might think that's exciting right? Well, it's not. The queen only shows up in the beginning, with no lines (a first for me LOL) and knits. So I got the little pack that teaches knitting and learned to knit, and I had to do it without my glasses as well.

Results? I'll probably try to keep up the skill for making socks, but that's about it. I still prefer crochet! Although, I did find that the continental version wasn't as frustrating for me so that's the route I'll keep I think.

I can make friendly plastic jewelry. It's not so popular anymore, but it was a lot of fun. It's a rubbery plastic that changes color a bit as it is heated and maneuvered. you learn how to cut the pieces the right size, etc. It's one of those skills that is getting lost in today's society.

I can cross stitch, although it is time consuming and exacting. I have made two heirloom Christmas stockings to date. Let me tell you, they are intricate and beautiful. Most people who meet me don't think I have the patience nor the skill to do something like that, but I do. It's the time that kills me :P

I like to quilt, although there are parts of it I still need to learn for doing the top stitching. I need a better machine for it, is the first problem. Anyway, I definitely don't get enough time for this with my young kids. I have to focus when piecing or I cut all the wrong sizes/shapes and I am too poor to be running about spending money on more fabric simply because I mess up.

And speaking of Fabric, (really the capitalized "fabric" is how I think of fabric) I sew costumes. I am involved in so many plays through community theatre that I have taught myself how to make costumes. I have had pointers from friends along the way, but mostly it has been trial and error for me.

Like Fabric, I'm also into paper. I taught myself to scrapbook, with friends of course, so I could do my wedding album. My wedding album came out beautifully and I have a whole array of paper and tools to play with. I combined it with my stamping (as many people have) and have enjoyed myself immensely.

Then, if I haven't missed any, there is my art. I came into it late in the game and I have found the thing that makes me happiest. Painting, oil paints in particular, help to soothe my mind and release my stress. I've changed my major from political science to art because of a chance 2 credit oil pastel class I happened to take. (They only offered it 1 or 2 quarters at the community college). It's impacted my life unbelievably. I can paint in almost any style I choose to. I am best at impressionism but I tend to throw in how I feel about my subject which gives it an expressionist edge.

This lead to confidence. Confidence that I can finish hard things and learn more. Which lead to me being comfortable picking up my writing again when I lost my job. I feel the need to create in all the ways set forth here. When a particular 'mood' strikes me it is best if I follow that lead. If I try to force something else out, I usually end up with something ugh. If I don't listen to my mood or can't because of life, then I get frustrated and my stress level increases ten fold.

I've decided to make writing a career, which means I have to do it almost everyday. I have to keep learning and growing. It's more than a whim or a mood. There are days when I wish I could do all of the things I love. However, for me, if I could write and paint everyday I would get my creative edge appeased as well as the right brain satisfied.

There is so much that goes into writing that isn't about the creative process. More so than most people think. The same is true for all of the arts I listed. Most of the ones listed takes math, precision, planning and goals. You may be an artist and very good at any of the hundreds of crafts available to you, but remember, there is more to the craft, and therefore more to you, than creative moodiness :D

PS I can't wait to get back to Washington and have all my stuff back! The only thing I brought were my paints. I had shelves and shelves of paper crafting stuff and yarn and it had to be put in storage :( Happy days for me when I get back. It will be like the best Christmas ever when I get to see my things again!!

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

I was reading contests etc., as I usually do, and all of the sudden, I had an idea for a new story/series :) I love it when that happens. I never thought I would be stalled with so many eggs in my basket, but I was. I can only research for so long, you know before my creative side wants a turn. Research definitely does not use the creative side of my brain. Maybe it should, IDK, but it makes me feel slow and sluggish.

It's going to be an attempt at a comedy, but, at this point in time, that is not my strong suit. I will give it the old college try :P

I have like 2 months before I'm likely to hear back on the resubmit, but I anxiously check my mail ten times a day as if I can hurry the process along by keeping my mailbox cleaned out. I so need to laugh at myself. Maybe I'll hear back sooner and really laugh at myself. who knows.

Making a stove top casserole for dinner as I have work at OLLU thiry auditorium tonight. I'm working a pageant with young skinny girls. I need to learn to laugh at myself soon as I am not skinny or young :( I wish I wasn't as big as I am, but I sure don't want to be model thin though, so I'll keep that in mind tonight.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

I miss the easy title days of NaNoWrimo. Maybe I'll use it anyway, unless I have something special to report LOL. I made my goal yesterday and had the resubmission done quickly and easily ;;) **snort NOT it took all day and the baby was good! It was just things like feeding him, reading and rereading a passage. (If I had to reread it, I rewrote it.) Getting caught up on all the blogs I follow and some more house cleaning, again figuratively and literally. It took most of the day for me, ending with laundry mat for three hours!

I'm gearing up to start the research for my next book(s) and loving the freedom at this stage. Hubby has finished finals so will probably beat him over the head to help with the WIPs awaiting his assistance!

I'm excited for this Christmas. It's going to be a small one as we are gearing up to go home, but we are closer than ever as we've only had each other to depend on down here. We have made a couple of friends that we will miss. Hi Joe, Aurora, Kelly, Shannon, Claudia, Paul. Hope things go well for you.

I love Christmas and will probably harp on it a bit LOL I went cheesy and finally gave in to the temptation to buy the coke bottles shaped like ornaments. I have them under our fiberoptic tree LOL Wrapping presents for my daughter who will be here two days after to open them. I'm so excited.

Monday, December 7, 2009

get those rewrites turned into the publisher. It may be midnight as I also have to go to the laundry mat, but it shall be done. I swear it. LOL Yep, that's the goal for today. Tentatively, it is called Jolene's Desire, but publishers have a way of changing the titles, so don't hold me to it.

I'm going to sketch as a reward now that I don't have to worry about not getting the charcoal or oil pastels out from under my fingernails! First, I had the play. Then I did do some sketching. Then, I was doing Nanowrimo as anyone following knows. I'm still thrilled about being a winner for that. It was a major goal for me to make with the way our life has been since moving to TEXAS. Then all last week I had to ignore the itch to sketch because I had a book signing yesterday and I don't like having dirty nails for that.

Speaking of the book signing, it went well for a relatively non-publicisized event, only in store ad as far as I know. I'm a new author without exposure. I will be setting up a new website as soon as I have a book deal under my belt.

What's funny is my mind wants to go in three directions. I want to write, paint/sketch, and do paper crafts. I think I'm going through withdrawals. All of my stuff is in Washington, and I'm in Texas! I have a few odd ball things I got to make presents with but they were very person specific and hard to make into something random. **sigh That's okay. It won't be long before I'm reunited with my stuff as I'm moving back to Washington.

Time to go as I have to read the paper copy of my story for editing purposes. Wish me luck!

I've decided to start a new blog for my writing as my old blog addy was very book specific to one that was done in the not-so-normal-or-abnormal way. Anyways, welcome to those of you who have found this. I am going to send out invites :) My old blog which captures my Nanowrimo blog will still be up, just not updated as often.